Free Printable Preserving Record Notebook

Download this seven-page preserving record notebook to plan your seasonal freezing, drying, and canning goals, record what you made, and keep track of your favorites.

One of the things that has helped me through the years of preserving the produce from our garden is a small preserving record notebook where I write down the name, date, and amounts of what I canned, dried, and froze from each year.

It is a simple small 3-ring binder with notebook paper and dividers. I separated the sections into vegetables, fruits, and “other” for recipes like ice cream toppings and syrups. I also taped recipes into a forth section, keeping all my preserving things in one place.

At first I wrote things down to try and keep track of what I actually made. But the beauty of this notebook really started to make itself known at about year three into my preserving journey. That’s when I could look back and see how many pints, for example, of salsa I made and when we ran out the next year. Then I could easily see how many pints we’d need to see us through an entire year.

When I forgot if I made a recipe, I could look back and see – plus if I liked it or not. I’d also start making notes for things like increasing the red pepper flakes or leaving out the cilantro.

This simple three-ring binder became indispensable, sort of a preserving Bible for our family.

Something this good needs to be shared, right? So I asked my designer (aka, my sweet graphic-designer daughter), to come up with some pages modeled after my stained and worn notebook. We worked together to add more helpful planning areas, like a place for counting lids you have and those you need to buy, etc.

I think it turned out fantastic and I hope it becomes as indispensable to you as mine has to me! (Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you – thanks for your support!)

Once the file is downloaded to your computer, it’s simply a matter of printing the pages you’ll need. To grab your own preserving record notebook, click the button below:

The seven notebook pages consist of:

Cover page. Place this in the front of a clear-view binder or as the first page in a decorative binder. Grab some basic dividers with labels for organizing the remaining pages. You can decide the order of the pages you like best (they aren’t numbered).

A seasonal preserving plan. Use this at the beginning of the season to make your preserving goals – what are your must-have preserves and what do you hope to get to? How much of each do you need? Take stock of your canning, freezing, and drying supplies and make a note of what you have and what you need to buy.

A second page for planning your preserves.

Preserving record for vegetables page. This is where you list what you actually made on the day you made it for all the vegetable products like green beans, salsa and pickles. Count the jars/packages and list any notes at the time – or even later on. If I find we don’t eat a lot of one thing during the winter, I go back to my binder and make a note so I don’t make too much the next year – and visa versa.

Other preserves record page. This is for any preserve that doesn’t fit into veggie or fruit. Examples for me include freezer pesto and syrups I may have canned. You could also make this a specific page – I have a page just for pickled products, for example. Use this however works for you.

Favorite preserves list. This is for your all-time favorites and so may be the page you want at the beginning of your notebook! There is a spot to list the name of your favorite preserve, and a notes section for writing where to find the recipe/tutorial, why you like it, or how many you want to have put up each year.

Click the image below to subscribe and grab your free preserving record notebook – along with access to the full subscriber library where you’ll find seasonal menus, a garden plan notebook, pretty printables for easy seasonal decor, and more!

Remember, if you’re already an AOC VIP subscriber, you can download this printable by using your exclusive subscriber password located at the bottom of every email you receive from An Oregon Cottage.

Let me know what you think and how you use this resource – I’d love your feedback!

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links and by clicking on them you help support AOC at no extra cost to you – thanks so much! Plus you can trust I’ll only share what I love. (You can always read our entire disclosure page here.)

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About Jami

Jami Boys is an author, blogger, and imperfect do-it-yourselfer who lives in the green, lovely, and often rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children. Her passion is to help others enjoy life & embrace simplicity through whole-food recipes, easy DIY projects, and do-able gardening.

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